Live Thread: Cavs Vs Trail Blazers
2015-01-28
The Cavs come home tonight for the second game of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers will be unusually rested because their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday was postponed due to snow. Portland last played on Saturday and beat the Wizards.
The Blazers are trying to play through a few injuries right now. Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been averaging 24 points and nearly nine rebounds a night during January, has a torn ligament in his thumb but will still play. Nicolas Batum* and Robin Lopez, however, will be sitting on the bench for the evening. Lopez is recovering not only from a fractured hand, but also a fractured ego. After trying to go after the Moon Dog, he got bit. Check out this tweet from the feisty Cavs mascot:
No offense @rolopez42, but I only feud with the more high profile of twin brothers. No one remembers the mascot fights with Ed Mikan.
— Moondog (@CavsMoondog) January 26, 2015
I’m excited to watch the the match up between Kevin Love and LMA. Both players love playing from the elbow area and are not exactly known for their defense. I hope Kevin recognizes Aldridge is having some issues with his hand tonight and plays especially physical down low. Maybe when he slaps at the ball for a rebound, he can “accidentally” tap LMA’s thumb.
It will also be exciting to see Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard duel. Kyrie managed to hold DJ Augistin of the Pistons to 19 points last night after Augustin had a 35 point performance against Chicago on Sunday. Irving is going to have to fight over screens to stop Lillard from shooting the three ball. Lillard is taking 7.2 threes a night and hitting 37% of them. He’s averaging 22 points a game. If he goes off, the Cavs could be in trouble.
Also watch for LeBron James to do some serious damage if he plays. He is currently listed as questionable and is a game time decision. Nic Batum normally takes on the task of covering the King and for the season has caused players to average 1.2% less than their typical field goal percentage.
Finally, this is another revenge game. The last time these two foes met on November 4th Portland won it easily, 101-82.
I’m picking the Cavs tonight, 105-99.
*In a turn of events, Nicolas Batum actually started after experiencing less pain in his wrist during shoot around.*
Sounds like there’s been some Mo chatter, but the Cavs aren’t willing to give much up.
Love really irritates me. Max money, no way. He better figure it out or let him walk. Max money players do more than take charges, rebound, and pass out of the block.
He will and Cavs will get it figured out. His shot won’t just disappear. Glad we’re winning when nobody not just love is hitting
I think he is trending the right way. He does have to put up with keeping Lebron and KI happy. And he has done a good job. He just irritates me is all. I think he is unproven.
The biggest question at the beginning was whether or not he could make the open shot when it came his way. He hasn’t done this at ALL. He got a lot of garbage time to stuff the stat sheet (when no one was competing). I think he is a fraud and is merely a role player.
I wrote before, just give us 18/10 with 46%, and get to ur spots on defense. I am starting to think Moz should become more of a priority on offense.
He irritates me.
Man, Brandon, you are really arguing with yourself over Love…
Lol… That’s why he irritates me.
One of the perks of following this team so closely the last four years is to fully understand what a maturity leap Kyrie has taken this year. Keep the memories coming, young fella!
I’ve got to start betting these games, although I wouldn’t have gotten as close on the score prediction if I didn’t know LBJ was a gametime scratch.
Took the kids to the Globetrotters tonight, so I missed the live experience, but what a game. Have to say Aldridge was amazing, and Kyrie was just that much better. So much fun. Can’t wait to go up to the Q Friday and Monday too!
Globetrotters are always an amazing show! Hope you guys had fun!
Keep the C:tB Karma going on Friday and Monday!
Gregg – the gas station growler trend is big here in idaho too.. and it’s often really good stuff!
Evil Genius – you work in a complexly collaborative industry — do you see parallels about putting together the right teams (even rotations?) there versus in hoops? What’s the same? What’s very different?
Absolutely! Every film I’ve ever worked on had its general success or failure directly related to the chemistry and talent of the key people assembled to make the film. Where it differs is in how the end product is perceived by an audience. The exception might be the films that are in the Oscar race each year, simply because they have an award-driven goal aside from a monetarily driven one.
I figured as much, so who is David Blatt? The producer? The director? Who keeps the prima donnas in line (if possible)? Do the agents play a role in promoting the team?
Anyway, you hear about incredibly difficult actors who still get hired. But it’s not har to see films & TV shows where the cast & crew are visibly having a blast (Guardian of the Galaxy, for one).
I’d say Blatt would be equivalent to the Director since he’s the one who has the most impact on what the plan looks like. That would make Griffin the Producer and obviously Dan G the studio. LBJ would be the star or leading man. Like a star of his caliber, he could decide at any point in time to go off-script and ad lib lines if he doesn’t like the script. Kyrie would be best supporting actor and the rest of the guys would fill out the cast. Ty Lue, Jim Boylan and the other coaches would be the primary… Read more »
It’s a strange thing in the movie business though. Some of the toughest shoots I’ve been on have turned out to be some of the better movies, while some of the easier and more fun shoots have been some of the less good. Sometimes you just never know…
Thanks!
You and Kyrie get to be the only folks around here with an IMDB listing? :)
(oh, yeah.. Love & Lebron too… although Uncle Drew wouldn’t be there?)
Is Marion hurt? He started then disappeared.
No sir…. Blatt just said it was based on need, and gave him props for last night’s play.
I think LMA would have crushed the matrix spirit tonight. We needed a wide load for him and matrix lost a step so it would have been ugly. Quick.
They needed more ball handling and scoring not glue or glue factory.
I literally had a friend tell me that Kyrie needs more assists. HE HAD 55 POINTS ON 36 SHOTS. YOU DO NOT PASS THE BALL WHEN YOU AVERAGE 1.5 POINTS PER SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!
he’s defending this season.
that’s the key.
Yes. For sure. Kyrie is a great player. But in this new age of overrating “team” ball like the Spurs and Hawks, lots of smart basketball fans are missing his greatness because he doesn’t have as many assists as they would like. Its g@d damn stupid.
I agree and what I like is if others are hitting their shot he will dish it to them and not go hero ball as much. But he is a scorer by nature and I am so glad he is a Cav for years to come!
I agree, Gregg. When you’re at the game, Kyrie jumps out at you as being so much better than everyone else. It isn’t even close. It’s obvious even in the first quarter after he missed a bunch of shots. Aldridge, too, is out of this world. Don’t know what was wrong with Lillard, but I can say that every time he faces Kyrie going forward – he will remember this night. There are a lot of incredible guards in the NBA. After tonight, I’d say Kyrie is the best. Curry is a world class shooter. Kyrie is a scorer who… Read more »
Epic night to attend one for the memory books psyched you were there
I haven’t been able to read this blog yet. Early on Kyrie set up his teammates. Then he missed his first seven shots. KLove bit a few early . . . But after he missed a few Kyrie decided to lead the way. Once he got hot his teammates did all they could to spring him free.
What a difference maker Mozgov is! Especially on defense. Portland stopped going to the hole in the second half and went exclusively to Aldrich – who blew me away, too.
Kyrie also held Lillard to a low shooting percentage (I’m pretty sure).
I know shumpert and smith took their shot at lilard with the long armed defense. Really bothered him and Fred mentioned it once that he was off his rhythm.
Today’s NBA is so much pick and roll that defense is a team thing anymore. It’s very evident at the game. I’m shocked at how coordinated the Cavs are considering the new additions. Blatt and his staff are doing something right.
Great point about Mozgov U-Dog… thought that trade was a rip-off at first. Now I am glad Griffin’s the GM and not me!
Yes Lillard was 4-14 or something and a complete non factor in the 4th quarter.
From my seat, Delly made an incredible quick decision and effort on Lillard’s last shot. Cavs put SHUMP on Lillard but Portland ran him through a ringer leaving Lillard free in the corner – just as they wrote up the play. Delly was guarding someone near the basket – far from Lillard (which again is how they drew it up). Delly unhesitatingly .left his man wide open underneath and sprinted at Lillard. I don’t know if he got there but I suspect Lillard felt him coming. If it had been Dion he would have stayed on his man. Delly isn’t… Read more »
AMEN U-Dog… I’m am an unapologetic Delly apologist. Blatt has given him more PT recently, and he’s earned it.
Thanks for the insight from one who was there U-Dog! So happy for you that you got to see the awesome display!
Coaches had to turn in All-Star ballots before Tuesday’s game to vote in reserves. If the Hawks want 4 players at the AS game they’ll need to snub either Kyrie, Bosh, or Wade.
I REALLY hope Kyrie gets snubbed.
HUNGER.
^^^^^^^^^ THIS…. could fuel him for the rest of the season/playoffs.
He might just have to drop 60 on the Hawks if he does…
Let hope that lbj goes on injured list 3 days prior to the festivities. Wouldn’t an extended rest for love and lebron strike fear into the league?
TT with the interview now…
Steph who? Wow, what a game by Kyrie! Amazing quick release treys + usual great stuff attacking the paint. That was one for the ages.
Delly was all over Lilliard in the final minutes and he was a non-factor. Saw LBJ give the kid a big hug in the tunnel on the way out.
Blessed to get a W on this one given everyone but KI had an off night.
I think the bigs did a noble job on LMA. Doubt anyone outside of a young Larry nance or hot rod Williams could have contained him tonight.
I actually though Moz controlled him pretty well, but yeah he’s a super tough cover especially with how good the Blazer outside shooters are usually…
He did as best as any cav could. It’s not like we had Henry sims or semih erdan or Ryan hollins out there as in years past.
Charlie E… great observation about the hug with Delly and LBJ, I noticed that too… they did the same thing after that game where Delly hit FTs to win the game against the Clippers(?)
MOZ is ON with Fred!
That was a fun interview.
Fred: “So Mozgov what is the meaning of life?”
Moz: “Game is good”
HAHAHA…. Moz is comedy gold!!!
“I make two… but I miss two before… (laughs)” Moz on his free throws at the end…
Cavs now 2-8 when LBJ doesn’t play… But 1-0 when Kyrie scores 55 ;)
Not as much as I do now that he is a Cav. Even from far away really only pay attention to Ohio sports. But it is a nice connection
I live in Oregon and let’s just say they are not happy w Ohio rthis month But I am, go Cavs
Do you have a special place in your heart for KLove the Oswego boy?
are you are beer drinker? If so, have you had Pliny the younger or elder? I want to drink a pint so badly but they don’t distribute to ohio.
Yes I do like beer, and I have had the Elder which I enjoyed fully. I really like the local brews in Bend, it is crazy not sure if it just oregon thing or not but every gas station now has a growler fill up w all the local brews on tap. Reminds me of the Ohio drive thrues when I was younger, but better
See now I’m obliged to go out to Oregon with my kids for a trip. Me to get the Pliny my wife gets winery tours in Russian river valley and the boys get to see the crater that they think is cool as hell. I don’t know where the crater is but I heard it is massive.
Lots to see out here and taste. Crater lake is just south of Bend and it is amazing. The Pliny was a taster in Portland, isn’t the brewery tho in northern California? Anyways it is unique.
I feel bad for them. I felt like Florida owned me personally for a half decade.
I stayed in Yachats a year ago. I liked Depoe Bay.
Good clam chowder in Depoe.
I went to the right game!
Congrats U-Dog! You must have been a little bummed when they said LBJ was out, but MAN you saw some history! WAY TO KEEP THE C:tB KARMA GOING!!!
Yeah. I learned as I sat in my seat he wasn’t playing. What a bummer that was. Then Kyrie went berserk. I never saw a guy work so hard every minute of the game. He missed a few late because he was tired. Blatt sat him a couple of minutes, put him back in and that’s all she wrote.
You guys must all be pumped, too, eh?
I’m not real good typing on cell phone. I’ll report more later.
SUCKS YOU DIDN’T GET CHALUPAS THO!!!!!!!
But I did get the Anderson Varejao blanket. And if I had to pick . . .
I got a Sasha Pavlovic spring-loaded wall scroll back in aught 7
That’s probably still worth something!
Man I wish I was there for the Shot
Did you grab me an extra Andy Blanket??
I did. They picked a picture of Andy with a stache on it. I’ll have it on my lap every Cavs game.
That might be the most awesome thing I’ve read tonight (and there were some good posts)!
Oh yeah… AND C:tB Karma rolls on! U-Dog just got to witness history at the Q!
Really happy for him. Couldn’t have picked a better game. If he has kids and they were there too that is what family memories are made of. Would be worth every penny it cost him.
Dang we need to figure out a way to have someone present at every playoff game.
Hey George, you should watch Blatt’s post-game interview to see how smart he is…
I think blatt speaks 5 languages and 11 dialects. Not an idiot but he is star struck by lbj and gives him a way too much slack.
Who, besides Riley, hasn’t though? I mean really? He’s the best player on the planet and probably in the conversation for GOAT…
I know but I think that would be my only concession to any anti blatt chatter. It’s a minor transgression.
I’ve been frustrated with Blatt before, but I believe that he’s made a lot of progress with these guys. Having a healthy LBJ obviously covers a lot, but you can see that he’s hit on some better rotations, he’s calling good plays out of timeouts, you could even hear him shouting for movement from the sidelines in the first half. He’s made good strides…
Riley could – he had him for 4 years and LeBron was a national Pariah when that marriage began. He had all the leverage.
Cavs 99, Blazers 94 (or the time Kyrie turned into the HUMAN TORCH)
most NBA Jam game ever that ball should went in flames on that 11th 3 pointer and they should’ve ended the game right there
This idiot David Blatt almost gave the game away…if it not for kyrie’s career game this non-coaching idiot would have blown this game!!!!!
Calm down George. Nobody agrees with you.
Thanks EG and Leo, definitely trolling.
George has been here before. Usually he trolls Blatt on non-game threads after everyone else has moved on…
Man I must be off cause I can never spot the trolling. I think people have better stuff to post than trickery
i assume you’re trolling…but it was a 2man game between kyrie and aldridge and if either guy didn’t have great games both teams supporting casts were pretty bad all around score would’ve been in 70s
Really I thought we were don with that crap! Blatt it not an idiot
Everyone IS done with it except for George who might just be Mark Jackson trolling…
GOOD CALL!!! It must be Mark JacksoN!
Wouldn’t say blatt is an idiot. I do think he needs to call plays to get bigs to the line when their shot is not falling. Mozgov did and sunk both free throws. Then Kyrie gets assassin creed all over the last 30 seconds
Blatt looked like a genius for sitting Kyrie for that little period in the 4th. He was gassed and had missed his last few shots. The offense had no flow. The Cavs had to rely on their D and try to grind out some points. (JR hit a big shot). Then he checks Kyrie back in and MAGNUM KI TOOK OVER. Also, it’s obvious the instructions on the final play were: everyone clear our, Kyrie, you take some air of the ball, and make a play. That made sense given the clock situation. I wanted Kyrie to launch with just… Read more »
Great point Tom! He is doing a lot of smart things to get guys in spots to succeed…
Great observation Tom, I noticed the same thing… and I believe he specifically brought in Delly to bring the D during that sequence in the 4th.
George thinks otherwise Tom.
George thinks…?
I hope Kyrie isn’t out for the next game with a bad back. What a performance!
Great post-game interview with Kyrie. You just gotta love this kid. I don’t care what the pundits say… I think he’s the best PG in the EC
that was an awesome post-game interview. I love that he said “the law of averages”
He’s smart, well-spoken, comes off humble… oh yeah, and can apparently drop 55 in a game now…
Just mentioend before, he gave Delly and Moz some love during the interview!
I thought both of those guys played great down the stretch. Delly saved a few possessions and Moz played tough on LMA. he also stroked those 2 freethrows.
Couldn’t agree more, Tom… good calls by Blatt, especially to switch Moz on LMA in the 2nd half.
According to some you must be Australian if you’re giving Delly props.
HAHAHA… Arch! Delly, to me, epitomizes what Cleveland should be about… hustle, hard work, unselfish. Glue guy if there ever was one.
easily the best and its not really close anymore and funny thing is people wondered if he would be 2nd or 3rd best option of big 3 but he’s clearly 2nd if not fighting for 1st and that game was 2nd best scoring in Cavs history only behind…Lebron
It was a week ago when some trolls were suggesting trading him, lol. Kyrie I should be in the all star game Irving,
If he’s not… there should be an investigation…
Wow. Just wow. Thirty-six shots by Kyrie. It looked like he was spent for a little while there early in the 4th, but he found the touch again down the stretch.
Nobody else on the Cavs had more than 12.
kyrie is the man….love needs to sit on fridays game….wouldnt be surprised if lebron plays friday after that game
Remember when Bill Simmons said we should draft Derrick Williams?
Used to love Bill Simmons back in the day, but he doesn’t know shit about anything.
He was talking s-t about Kyrie to Zach Lowe on his podcast the other day. Also discounted the Cavs’ win streak. Zach defended him a bit.
His wife is a better prognosticator of NFL game than he is.. enough said. He’s bought into his own hype.
Given the past couple games, he should do it more often.
Yeah I’m glad grant didn’t listen to the media. Never heard Simmons ever acknowledge he missed that wide left.
I think an All-Simmons Draft team would have D. Williams, Emeka Okafor, and Adam Morrison on it
Can we get a God Shammgod in there for religious reasons?
I defended Love the other day, but man, I don’t know what’s going on with him. Good thing Kyrie is a basketball ninja.
I’m not that concerned about him… just because he has a bad game doesn’t make or break the season. He needs to go through this adversity on a good team for the first time in his life. He’ll come thru.
The way he’s shooting, you coulda defended him for real and he wouldn’t score…
The last time he scored a field goal was 5:54 in the first quarter…
I will continue to defend him as long as he hustles on defense. I liked when he ran at I belive it was Mathews at the end and made hi shoot his three over him
And he DID take two charges in this game I think
Agreed Gregg… He’s doing other things to contribute. His poor shooting’s gotten to his head, needs to push through. Others have mentioned there’s no arch to his shot. Needs more air under his shots… too much line drive to it.
Needs to get back into the post. Need to run plays for him. He is a system player who functions best down low. Qin truly believe we have messed his game up by making him into stretch 4. He shot threes last year, but that was in addition to the other parts of his offense, not the primary component.
Agreed John b… I think it will come in time, there is too much ISO from Kyrie and LBJ, but they’re so good that they lean on it too heavily at times.
Yeah thei post might get free throws as well which might get the ball through the net. Great defense improvement tho which is crucial
Great point Gregg about the FTs, that’s how guys get themselves in the flow offensively.
I believe they WILL figure this out. In fact, they’re not going to win a championship if they don’t.
Kyrie and Moz really played good D on Lillard. Becoming a theme with opposing PGs having tough nights against Cavs
Yeah I never would have thought Kyrie would ever turn into an average defender, let alone above average. But the way he has been playing d, he is on the verge of becoming an elite defender at the point guard spot. Of course Mozgov is a huge help, but the effort Kyrie has shown recently at fighting through and around screens has been a revelation, not to mention his lateral quickness has seemingly increased out of nowhere. His activity in passing lanes and creating turnovers has been tremendous as well.
Kyrie is also a heady defender. He anticipates well. He sneaks up on people. He knocks the ball loose from unsuspecting players. That’s a different facet of his defense. It’s something he’s always been good at when he put forth the effort.
I need someone at Pepsi to let mozgov be next star in uncle drew skit. Shave his head bald and give him the Gorbachev mark of the. Beast forehead.
HAHAHA That would be pretty awesome!
Some people don’t like Kyrie because they think he’s aloof, but that’s how assassins are.
Kyrie and defense oh my! Great win
Never would have happened if dion and Alonzo gee were here. Game would have been over in 3 rd quarter
Hey!!! Delly and Moz getting a shout out from Kyrie!
Holy cow! Kyrie was as as hot as a supernova. 8 games. And we limited them to 44% shooting. Pretty good against a team like the Blazers.
Great D against the 11th rank offense in the league in off efficency.
Yes great defense when nobody besides kyrie could shoot! Great win
Mr 4th quarter here guys
I hope they play that last shot on SportsCenter for the next three days!
Kyrie is absolute wonder boy. Huge win for us beating a contender without Lebron!
I telling you, LBJ came back because of Kyrie… He’s Wade with a better shooting stroke. Gotta get Love going… This team will be unstoppable.
Yes, when Love gets going the Cavs will be able to win any series. And he will get going . . .
I got the faith U-Dog!
Mallory is going to be PISSED my boy Kyrie went off for the speed limit tonight! Team EG!
I Mallory will let you have this one.
Double Nickels Baby!
Can’t drive 55
Great players with great performances sometimes make coaches look like genius.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
BUT MOSTLY KYRIE!@
DAVID BLATT SMILED!
Now THAT’S even more rare than a 55 point game!
Kyrie beats the Cavaliers: 55-44!
A star is born here. No question they are learning how to win without the king
HELL YES! AND THE CAVS REVENGE TOUR 2015 ROLLLLLLLLL OOOOOOOONNNNNNNN!!!!!
No doubt. Need to hear from love. Time to rest employee 0?
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED WITH FILTHY XOVERS AND STEP BACK SPLASHDOWNS!
FOUR DOWN! ONE TO GO!
HAHAHA CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA CHOO CHOO!!!
Where is the like button when you need it lol
Huge statement win without Lebron. If there was any question this team has turned the corner I think it’s been answered . . . next, three cake games.
That was an awesome game by Irving!
GAME OVERRRRRRRRR!!!!!
Just hit one and it’s over.
Big time finish there guys
I think this win will get Irving to the All-Star game.
KYRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
When you think Kyrie is not the Cavs’ best player, this team really is pretty remarkable.
KYRiediculoous.
Why the HELL are they showing the Lillard buzzer beater??? STUPID FSO
Eerily similar to that Toronto game winner. Kyrie!!!!!!!!
That kid has king king balls lol
Honestly man, this performance by KLove, it’s really just straight up unacceptable
Not sure why he plays if he is hurt. They need to rest him vs these non-playoff teams. Even if lose one.
Come again? The Blazers have the fourth highest winning percentage in the league.
This is the Kyrie Irving game.
ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEEEE?????!!!!!!!
WWWWWWWWTTTTTTTFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wtf is delly doing on the floor???David effingBlatt is a complete idiot!!!! I’m back!!!
Good luck charm baby!!!
i was wondering where you were George.
I’m back for the long haul guys…missed you all!!!!
Not sure if the Cavs should burn the whole shot clock on this possession.